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E39 (1997 - 2003) The BMW 5-Series (E39 chassis) was introduced in the United States as a 1997 model year car and lasted until the 2004 when the E60 chassis was released. The United States saw several variations including the 525i, 528i, 530i and 540i. -- View the E39 Wiki

Just got back from the side of the road where I watched my immaculate 530i be hauled onto the back of a tow truck because it looked like the radiator fan caught fire.

We were driving along when I started to smell burning plastic, I thought it was the car in front of me, then it got really strong and I pulled over straight away. Seeing what looked to be steam coming from the front grille I popped the bonnet (hood) and there was a fire in the centre of the radiator fan (the front aux fan). I flagged down a passing motorist and lucky he had some water bottles in his car which we used to douse the flames.

Has anyone had this before? What causes this, a short in the motor? Some kind of parts rubbing together? I recently had my radiator changed - I would be surprised if they were related unless they somehow pinched some wires but I think that would be unlikely.

Needless to say I'm going to purchase a fire extinguisher for the car. Also funny was that we pulled over right next to another E39, looked to be a late 1990's 528i.

At only 120,000km's (not miles) I'm a bit miffed to be honest.

Any ideas would be appreciated - it is Saturday night here so I won't see the car until Monday or Tuesday.

Sooooo my aux fan has been running after engine was off for the last day or so. Noticed it yesterday at work, and then went home and did a little research (I've been disconnecting battery at all times and only drove from office to home and back 5miles). Decided to start with temp sensor and picked up one today at lunch. On my way home tonight I started to smell the burning smell like this gentleman. Luckily I don't work very far from home and was very close when I started to smell it. Soon as I pulled in I noticed a little bit of smoke and quickly popped the hood. At first didn't see anything but poof and there was a nice little fire going. Ran and grabbed a bucket and knocked it out fast. Looks like the wiring on the aux fan is melted. The fan looks to have been replaced by previous owner because the fan says it was made in Taiwan by JYT? JTY? I think I read in my research that this was common cheap brand some folks use. Looks like Monday I'll be getting it towed to the shop....